The Bond: 10 tips (plus one) for a safe summer of fun for cats

Posted: Sunday, July 02, 2006

Marty BeckerOpinion

Whether your cats are hiding under the bed to find cooler air, enjoying the shade of an outdoor enclosure, lapping up cool fresh water, or sleeping from dawn to dusk, cats are champs at escaping summer's heat.

Here are the 10 top tips gathered from leading veterinarians to keep your cats cool during the dog days of summer.

1. GIMME SHELTER - Direct sun raises body temperature, which is why cats need a cool place to hang out. "You don't need anything fancy," said Dr. Rolan Tripp, founder of www.AnimalBehavior.Net. As long as the cat's territory includes a shaded porch, a roof eve, or even a leafy tree, she will find ways to stay cool.

2. DO A HOME CHECK - Don't automatically assume your cat has found a cool retreat from the heat. Wait until the hottest part of the day then investigate the temperature of your pet's favorite hideaway. If it feels uncomfortably hot to you, it's probably too hot for him.

Additionally, beware of the "high-rise syndrome." This happens when a cat crawls out an open window to catch a fresh breeze. Contrary to popular belief, cats do fall and may severely injure themselves.

3. AIR PLAIN - Hot, humid air can really make Kitty's knees buckle. Homes with many south facing windows or small apartments can quickly turn into hot houses. If you don't have air conditioning, provide a fan or two to keep air circulating on hot days.

4. MAKE MINE A DOUBLE - Even if your cat has a water bowl the size of a small swimming pool, it may occasionally run out or get turned over. To prevent Kitty from becoming dangerously dry during the day, provide two bowls of water in different locations and keep them filled to the brim, recommends Dr. Steve Garner, a board certified veterinarian in League City. Some cat owners swear by the self-replenishing bowls and freeze one to provide a slow drip of cool, fresh water. Petmate's FreshFlow has aeration like a mountain stream with a reservoir, a charcoal filter, and a flowing fountain that helps cool the water and improve the taste of it.

5. BUG OFF - Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, oh my! Summer insects feed on blood meals. If your cat is outdoors, simply and safely protect him with monthly parasite control available from your veterinarian.

6. WEAR PROTECTION - Outdoor cats can become sunburned, particularly on the tips of their noses, ears and other less hairy areas. White cats are susceptible to malignant skin cancer. If your cat is white, cover exposed pink skin with sunscreen daily preferably SPF 15 or higher. Check with your veterinarian to make sure the sunscreen you choose is safe for cats.

7. RISKY BUSINESS - Never leave cats alone in cars during the summer months - it is just too risky! The temperatures inside a parked car, even in the shade, can turn it into a hot oven in just a few minutes.

8. MAKE THE FUR FLY - Consider a summer buzz haircut for cats but beware that cutting hair too close to the skin may place them at risk for sunburn. While a long coat may look hot, in many cases it helps insulate the cat and keeps him cooler. Watch for hair mats, which retain heat and can prevent proper air flow resulting in painful "hot spots."

Professional grooming may also help remove dead undercoat build up that causes the cat to be hotter. Check with your veterinarian about the benefits of professional grooming for your cat.

9. HAVE A HEART - Mosquitoes are the vector for transmitting heartworms to cats, according to Dr. Gary Norsworthy, owner of Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio. Although heartworm is not as common in cats as in dogs, it is very serious for two reasons.

First, heartworm is hard to diagnose, and very difficult to treat.

Second, the drugs that work so well in dogs are either not as effective or toxic to cats. Therefore, a veterinary recommended heartworm preventive is a very good health insurance policy for outdoor, exposed cats.

10. ID PLEASE - We've all heard horror stories of beloved cats becoming lost. Make sure your cat always carries proper identification with a new ISO microchip matched with a tag on a break-away cat collar as the combination of choice. Tripp also recommends writing your phone number with a permanent marker on the nylon collar itself just in case the tag is lost.

Plan ahead for the worse by keeping a photo that you could use for a "lost cat" poster, or to prove to a veterinarian or shelter that the cat belongs to you.

Although there is a FeLV vaccination, there is no vaccine against the FIV except avoidance of exposure.

Consider carefully whether or not you want to put your cat at risk, or want to play it safe by making him an indoor cat.

Today, armed with state-of-the-art products, stateof-the-heart care, proven tips and tactics, and a commitment to optimal health care, we can protect our cats from summer heat and other threats to living a long, happy, healthy, life.

Dr. Marty Becker is the veterinary contributor to "Good Morning America" and hosts "Top Vets Talk Pets" on www.healthradionetwork.com. He is also author of "Fitness Unleashed: A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together." Write to him in care of Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, 700 12th St. NE, STE 1000, Washington, DC 20005.